Special Spaces Poker Tournament fundraiser, helping children in need

Posted on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 8:57 am

On February 9 Special Spaces of St. Louis is holding their first annual Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament at 7 p.m. at Old Hickory Golf Club in St. Peters, Missouri. The non-for-profit organization designs bedrooms for children with life-threatening medical illnesses. Their goal is to create a room where a child can find peace and comfort. Todd and Lacy Gambill, co-directors of Special Spaces, meet with the families to find out the child’s interest such as sports, music, cartoons and color preference. They also consider the child’s medical needs and make those accommodations. Once a design has been created they contact their corporate sponsors; Discount Decorator Outlet, Dugan’s Paint and Flooring Center, Ligon’s Flooring, Old Monroe Lumber and Construction Concept Corporation along with their volunteers and begin working. The renovations are completed in one day. Every bedroom design is unique to the child, and 80 percent of the room is completed on site, including building the furniture and creating the window treatments, bedding and pillows. As of today, the St. Louis branch has created nine bedrooms for children located in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and St. Louis counties. Special Spaces of St. Louis works with child-life specialists at local children’s hospitals to identify and select the children. The room renovations are scheduled based on the severity of the child’s health condition. There is currently a waiting list.

Since the organization operates on donations alone, they hope the poker tournament will raise enough money to complete two bedrooms, which would be approximately $5,000. There are a couple of different ways you can help them reach their goal. If you are interested in making a donation please visit www.specialspacesstl.org. Or, if you’d like to join in an evening of fun you can register to play by visiting http://bit.ly/Yra2Mv. The event includes appetizers and a cash bar. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and a silent auction.

If you have any questions regarding the organization or our event please feel free to contact Kelly Mennemeyer at 636-368-1249.